Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/1999/06/10/computacenter_battles_to_retain_bt/

Computacenter battles to retain BT contract

Out to tender

By Linda Harrison

Posted in On-Prem, 10th June 1999 16:12 GMT

BT’s PC procurement business is up for grabs as its three-year contract with Computacenter comes to an close. Computacenter, ICL Multivendor Computing and Compel are understood to be on the shortlist for the UK's biggest PC supply contract, worth £60-£80 million a year. BT’s decision, expected in the next few months, could significantly swell or deplete the coffers of the resellers battling it out. ICL stands a good chance of stealing the contract from Computacenter, according to industry sources. And BT and ICL are no strangers. Sir Peter Bonfield, CEO of BT, is the former CEO of ICL. But Computacenter is confident it will retain the agreement. "BT is a long-standing customer and our largest client. We have held the business for three years and have a very good relationship," a Computacenter spokesman told the Evening Standard this week. BT declined to comment as it said its relationships with suppliers were confidential. Computacenter won the BT contract from Zenith Data Systems, a division of Bull, in 1996. The reseller giant has seen share prices halve since July last year. Its share price was up 14 pence to 444 pence this afternoon. ®